Suzy’s West Dorset Guidebook
Great Pubs
The Wise Man Inn
Traditional English pub serving fresh local food
Great atmosphere, friendly locals and delicious fresh, local food
16 locals recommend
The Brace of Pheasants
Great atmosphere, friendly locals and delicious fresh, local food
Famous for its pies and real ale. Check out the micro museum!
92 locals recommend
The Square and Compass
Worth MatraversFamous for its pies and real ale. Check out the micro museum!
The Anchor Inn
Lovely traditional pub situated on a fossil-strewn beach
Traditional country pub. Good food. Large garden. Great nearby walking in Puddletown forest.
18 locals recommend
The Blue Vinny
12 The MoorTraditional country pub. Good food. Large garden. Great nearby walking in Puddletown forest.
Sailor's Return
Cosy traditional pub
Riding
Hacking along the coast with stunning sea views across Weymouth Bay
Provides hacking along the coast with stunning far-reaching views across Weymouth Bay
Rosewall Equestrian
Provides hacking along the coast with stunning far-reaching views across Weymouth Bay
Local Beaches
Lulworth Cove
Stunning scenery and great walks
Durdle Door
Great walks and super views
Fantastic fossils, but keep an eye on the tide (check tide times before you set off)
120 locals recommend
Kimmeridge Bay
Fantastic fossils, but keep an eye on the tide (check tide times before you set off)
A challenging walk down to the beach, but good fossiling potential and a drink at the Square and Compass afterwards makes it worthwhile!
17 locals recommend
Chapman's Pool
A challenging walk down to the beach, but good fossiling potential and a drink at the Square and Compass afterwards makes it worthwhile!
Studland
Long sandy beach and great walks. Nearby nature reserve.
Lyme Regis
Good restaurants and excellent beach for finding fossils
18 miles of shingle which forms part of the Jurassic Coast and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
112 locals recommend
Chesil Beach
18 miles of shingle which forms part of the Jurassic Coast and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Charmouth Beach
Fossil haven!
Three miles of Blue Flag-winning, golden, sandy, child friendly beach, lots to see and do, beautiful views
160 locals recommend
Weymouth
Three miles of Blue Flag-winning, golden, sandy, child friendly beach, lots to see and do, beautiful views
Restaurants/Cafes
Hive Beach Cafe Burton Bradstock
Beach RoadThe freshest fish, straight off the beach!
Yalbury Cottage
Great food and only two miles away. Advance booking essential.
Fantastic local and home-grown food, beautiful building, stunning views, advance booking essential.
165 locals recommend
The Pig on the Beach
Manor RoadFantastic local and home-grown food, beautiful building, stunning views, advance booking essential.
Family Interest
Hundreds of rescued apes and monkeys. Huge climbing frame for children.
319 locals recommend
Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre
LongthornsHundreds of rescued apes and monkeys. Huge climbing frame for children.
Surprisingly interesting and entertaining, fun for all the family!
247 locals recommend
The Tank Museum
Linsay RoadSurprisingly interesting and entertaining, fun for all the family!
A favourite family attraction, open every day. Their full daily timetable of hands-on animal events gives children a full day out. In addition, there are many indoor and outdoor play areas – all in a safe and welcoming environment.
117 locals recommend
Farmer Palmer's Farm Park
Wareham RoadA favourite family attraction, open every day. Their full daily timetable of hands-on animal events gives children a full day out. In addition, there are many indoor and outdoor play areas – all in a safe and welcoming environment.
Splashdown
Tower ParkFun on the flumes!
Home to the world’s only managed colony of nesting mute swans, and you are even able to walk through the heart of the colony of nesting Mute Swans. A visit to this beautiful place is considered to be one of the best things to do in Dorset.
119 locals recommend
Abbotsbury Swannery
New Barn RoadHome to the world’s only managed colony of nesting mute swans, and you are even able to walk through the heart of the colony of nesting Mute Swans. A visit to this beautiful place is considered to be one of the best things to do in Dorset.
18th-century garden with rare plants and notable magnolia and camellia blooms, plus a restaurant. Open every day.
One of the finest gardens Alan Titchmarsh has ever visited!
128 locals recommend
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Bullers Way18th-century garden with rare plants and notable magnolia and camellia blooms, plus a restaurant. Open every day.
One of the finest gardens Alan Titchmarsh has ever visited!
Great walks around the iconic ruined castle, beautiful village, catch the steam train to Swanage Beach
425 locals recommend
Corfe Castle
Great walks around the iconic ruined castle, beautiful village, catch the steam train to Swanage Beach
Hardy's birthplace, only two miles away. Good visitor centre with café and trails and walks through Thorncombe Woods.
62 locals recommend
Hardys Cottage
Hardy's birthplace, only two miles away. Good visitor centre with café and trails and walks through Thorncombe Woods.
Max Gate
Thomas Hardy's home
Not for the writer, but for Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, the monument offers 360 degree views over Dorset and the Jurassic Coast.
33 locals recommend
Hardy Monument
Not for the writer, but for Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy, the monument offers 360 degree views over Dorset and the Jurassic Coast.
Maiden Castle
Maiden Castle RoadLargest iron age hill fort in Europe, stunning views and walking
Over 100 birds and only a five minute walk away! Incredible falconry displays with daily shows (Wednesday to Sunday) and a small tea room.
9 locals recommend
Xtreme Falconry at Dorset Falconry Park
Over 100 birds and only a five minute walk away! Incredible falconry displays with daily shows (Wednesday to Sunday) and a small tea room.
Out and About
Dorset's county town with shopping, eating and drinking, cinemas and museums
131 locals recommend
Dorchester
Dorset's county town with shopping, eating and drinking, cinemas and museums
Beautiful grounds, gardens and lakes. No children. Serves good food at the café
67 locals recommend
Sculpture by the Lakes
Beautiful grounds, gardens and lakes. No children. Serves good food at the café
Beautiful vineyard offering tours and tasting with a cafe
28 locals recommend
Langham Wine Estate and Vineyard Café
Beautiful vineyard offering tours and tasting with a cafe